Florida's Gulf coast braces for Hurricane Hermine

MIAMI - Residents in some low-lying communities of Florida are being asked to evacuate as Hurricane Hermine takes aim at the state.

The Tallahassee Democrat reports emergency management officials in Franklin County have issued a mandatory evacuation notice for people living on St. George Island, Dog Island, Alligator Point and Bald Point. Residents in other low-lying areas prone to flooding area also being asked to evacuate.

A hurricane warning is in effect for Florida's Big Bend from the Suwannee River to Mexico Beach. On the East Coast, a tropical storm warning has been issued for an area that extends from Marineland, Florida, northward to the South Santee River in South Carolina.